Bingo Could Be Coming To Political Campaigns in Michigan

Bingo is a game that has become sort of outdated. While it is experiencing a revival online, not many bingo parlors in the United States are prospering.

A proposal for new legislation in Michigan would allow for the game to once again be used as a political device. Currently, only operational costs can be paid from political bingo games.

Representative Mark Meadows has introduced legislation that would allow for political parties to raise money for candidates through charitable bingo games.

The idea has several politicians agreeing it could be a good way to raise money. “The primary reason political bingos were stopped is that Democrats used them successfully and they were not a Republican fundraising mechanism. This was done for the wrong reasons, and it’s time to reverse this,” said Meadows.

While there are several cosponsors to the Bill, not all involved believe this is the complete answer to raising money. Bingo is an old fashioned game, and with the addition of many casinos, the games popularity has gone down.

“In areas like mine where there are a lot of casinos, bingo games aren’t very big sellers anymore. But in some areas, it will be a good way for political parties to raise money without going out and asking for direct donations,” said Representative Steve Lindberg.

Like most issues, the parties are torn. The Democrats like the new legislation because it will help them raise much needed campaign money. The Republicans have plenty of money, so they do not want to see the Democrats have an outlet to compete financially.

Bill to Legalize Online Gambling Gains 48th New Co-Sponsor

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Rep. Jerrold Nadler [NY-8] has joined the fight for Online Gambling when he became the 48th co-sponsor of the Internet Gambling, Regulation, and Enforcement Act (Bill H.R. 2046, aka the IGREA), which has been proposed by House Financial Services Committee Chairman, Rep. Barney Frank [MA-4].

Rep. Nadler is an important member of Congress serving his 9th term. Currently, Rep. Nadler represents District- 8, NY, which includes portions of Manhattan’s West Side, Lower Manhattan, and areas of Brooklyn. He currently serves on the House Judiciary Committee, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

More importantly, Rep. Nadler is the Chairman of the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Subcommittee. In this position, he must deal with issues such as expression, religious freedom, privacy, due process, and he is the first line of defense in many crucial ideological battles that take place in the House.

His endorsement of the IGREA is not a small gesture, as he is well respected in the House and influential on the Judiciary Committee. This co-sponsorship may be just what the Online Gambling Industry needs to spark others on the Judiciary to join in.

A statement on his website says that “there is nothing more fundamental to being an American than the assurance against unwarranted government interference in one’s personal affairs.”

In addition to the above-mentioned committees, he also serves on the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subcommittee.

Rep. Nadler can be contacted at any of the offices listed below.

Manhattan

Rep. Jerrold Nadler

201 Varick Street, Suite 669

New York, NY 10014

Tel. 212-367-7350

Brooklyn

Rep. Jerrold Nadler

445 Neptune Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11224

Rep. Jerrold Nadler

2334 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

We encourage all to call, write, and/or Fax thank you notes to him for his insight towards Internet Gambling and how it is negatively affecting cross border trading and violating long standing treaties with our allies worldwide.

We suggest to politely request of him his continued support and encouragement to engage in further discussion of the benefits of legalized Online Gambling. Also suggest that he pursue others to join the fight to restore some very basic rights that the current Administration has taken away for moral reasons.